PowerTap Owners

About 7,000 miles on a PT Pro (wired).  About 1,000 on a PT SL (wired, race wheel).

Had some bearing issues with the PT Pro (older style), and had to send it back to Saris, but they turned it around super fast and covered it under warranty both times, even though the second time it was technically out of the original warranty.  They do definitely stand behind their product.

If you're looking around for one used, I'd try to get a PT SL.

If you're looking at a new one, I'd wait for a bit, until the '09 stuff comes out.  The new PT 2.4 wireless coming out supposedly supports ANT+ protocol, which means it would be compatible with the Garmin 705 ( and anything else that supports the ANT+ protocol ).

I just got the 2.4 wireless and LOVE IT! Takes 30 seconds to go from box to riding.

I have about 6000-7000 miles on my training wheel and about 300-400 on race wheels...both are from 2006. I have two..trainer wheel and then Zipp 404s race wheels. Both are wired version and PT upgraded my yellow computers to the latest when I had some minor issues.s

My biggest issue is my trainer wheel is that I get a lots of --- data so it skews my data like it has zero so it reduces my averages. I have called Sarris many times and they were helpful but didn't fix the problem. When I did IMLP with my Zipps I have great data and didn't get all the dropped data even in the rain which makes me think it is the hub of my training wheel.  As I have replaced the harness and use both wheels on different bikes.

Thanks for all of your info.  Two more questions, what rims/hoops did you have the powertap laced into and did you buy a matching front wheel?

Thanks again

Mark

I have 2 powertaps. First one is built into Velocity Deep Vs and I have had them for 2.5 years. I had to get the hub replaced in the first 6 months I had it because I peed on it so much during my first IM that I killed it.
My other PT is new as of about 4 months ago and is built into DT Swiss wheels. I don't have a preference of one over the other.
I have had numerous issues with my PTs..dropped data like Kathy, not being waterproof, etc. Lots of those issues are user error, though.

I have one PT pro laced on a DT swiss since 2005 and only issues I had was losing signal when raining but since I got the O ring seals upgrade I haven't had any issues. I also got a PT 2.4 wireless laced on a Jet 90 and I love it and I've never had issues with it. I usally train with the pro and race with the 2.4

I've had 4 of the older plastic cap PTs/PT Pros (I like to buy and sell stuff..).  No clue how many miles on them total but probably in excess of 5000 miles on my current one, which is an old, old black cap PT.  Still working great!

Some general notes if you're looking at used ones: the bearings/internals/waterproofing on the older units just suck.  At least the loose ball bearing side and the freehub take common Shimano parts, and you can order the cartridge bearing for the other side pretty easily. 

I actually just rebuilt my hub yesterday and had to scrounge through the shop for a replacement cone; I ordered the cartridge bearings from a previous rebuild.  I grease all of the o-ring areas which greatly improves waterproofing.

The newest wired coded head units are much better than the older ones for signal reliability (data dropouts) and waterproofing.  They're darker yellow and have 2.4 marked on them.  They'll work with PT hubs all the way back to the original black cap units, by the way.

The wired SL prices are coming down now; I'm looking for one of these as an upgrade for my race wheels.  They're lighter and have better mechanical internals, as well as better waterproofing.  I don't think the wireless is a big advantage; it's one more area to have data problems, and if you just buy an extra harness you can swap wheels between frames faster than you could move the wireless pickup over.

Rim types: durable clincher rim that you can train on and race with a wheelcover is your best bet; something like a Velocity Deep V, DT Swiss 1.1 or 1.2.   If you have a set of deep race wheels that are durable enough to train on, consider relacing the rear with a PT hub.  My current wheels are Hed Jet 60s; I found a 28 hole PT hub and rebuilt the rear.  Works beautifully and I can use a wheelcover for time trials and tris.

Wired SL, bought new in '06.  Has about 10,000 miles on it I'd guess.  No problems.

I had it laced into a Velocity Deep V rim w/32 spokes by wheelbuilder.com.  Did not by a matching front, though the Deep V has a similar profile to the Vistas I already had and still run up front.  I bought a disc cover and used 808 front clincher wheel to use for racing.

Wireless might be nice, especially to facilitate swapping between bikes.  But I only have one bike and have no issues with the wired set-up.

Only one wired model in 09 and its 799.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2008/features/saris_powertap_launch_08